[Result of hydrodissection of the paratendon of the patellar tendon during bone-tendon-bone graft reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament].

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to evaluate the clinical and functional effect of hydrodissetion of the paratendon in the postoperative period of patients submitted to surgery of reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament.

METHODS: A non-controlled clinical study was conducted at the Unidad de Alta Especialidad de Ortopedia y Traumatología "Magdalena de las Salinas," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City. Twenty two patients and 23 controls were included. Surgical intervention consisted of a bone-tendon-bone technique with hydrodissection and without hydrodissection of the paratendon.

RESULTS: The following results were obtained: functionality of the knee, pain, extension and flexion. Male: 20 vs. 22; female: 2 vs. 1 (p = 0.581), age: 29 +/- 4.6 years vs. 26 +/- 6.2 (0.946); weight: 68 +/- 8.8 vs. 72 +/- 6.2 (p = 0.190); height: 1.60 m +/- 4.8 vs. 1.62 m +/- 7.5 (p =0.909). Side: right: 5 vs. 5; left: 17 vs. 18 (p = 0.937). Evaluation scale of Knee Index: 84 +/- 4 vs. 70 +/- 8; pain: 10 days: 3.7 +/- 1.6 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.4, 4 weeks: 1.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 2.1 (p <0.001) flexion: 95 +/- 6.7 degrees vs. 86 +/- 6.1 degrees (p <0.001) group of hydrodissection vs. no hydrodissection, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: In the immediate postoperative period (4 weeks), pain is diminished and range of mobility increases as a result of the decrease of pain.